Look up "mixed feelings" in the Overstreet Dictionary and you will read this: "What Jeffrey feels when he learns that Cormac McCarthy is skipping over novel-writing and going straight to screenplay-writing. He would love to read a new McCarthy novel, but he's fascinated by the idea of a McCarthy story that's going first to the screen."

The terrain of the script is reminiscent of the rough and tumble world depicted in No Country For Old Men. The protagonist in The Counselor is a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation. While McCarthy’s ICM agents Binky Urban and Ron Bernstein were expecting McCarthy to deliver his next novel, he instead surprised them with the spec script before returning to the book. The producers moved quickly and spent their own money to buy it in a sizable deal. They tell me they will go looking for a filmmaker as they talk to financiers.

So he wrote it while working on his next novel? That could make for some interesting comparative reading in the future....

I would much rather have a new McCarthy novel, but I can see this working out okay--all of his books kind of read a little bit like a screenplay, just more vivid and fleshed-out ( I don't mean that as a dis, by the way). Of course, that doesn't mean he'll be a natural pro at screenwriting, but I think it works in his favor.

Ridley Scott Commits To Next Direct McCarthy’s ‘The Counselor’; Will Michael Fassbender Play Title Role?EXCLUSIVE: The Cormac McCarthy script The Counselor might well be traveling on the fastest track toward production of any film in recent memory. I’m told that Ridley Scott has now committed to make The Counselor his next film. Other sources tell me that Scott has been talking to his Prometheus star Michael Fassbender about playing the title role. While a formal offer hasn’t been made, I believe there’s a high likelihood that Hollywood’s hottest actor will star in the film. . . .Scott is eyeing a May 1 start date, and he is talking to a number of high-profile actors to take part in a film that insiders are describing as “No Country For Old Men on steroids.” . . .The Counselor is reminiscent of the rough and tumble world depicted in the Oscar-winning adaptation of McCarthy’s novel No Country For Old Men. The protagonist is a respected lawyer who thinks he can dip a toe in to the drug business without getting sucked down. It is a bad decision and he tries his best to survive it and get out of a desperate situation. . . .Mike Fleming, Deadline.com, February 9

Saw this poster in the lobby of a theatre last weekend, after seeing the trailer before watching Rush. Maybe it's just me, but this poster could have been for any Love Actually-type or Garry Marshall film of the past 15 years...

I'm off to see this tonight. Are others here staying quiet because of an embargo?

I'm really curious about the lack of buzz about this one. It's a Cormac McCarthy screenplay. It should be an Event, right? It has Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem. Okay, the Ridley Scott factor does more harm than good to the film's chances at this point, but I'm trying to figure out why the fact that this is McCarthy hasn't generated more intrigue and excitement.

I'm off to see this tonight. Are others here staying quiet because of an embargo?

I'm really curious about the lack of buzz about this one. It's a Cormac McCarthy screenplay. It should be an Event, right? It has Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender and Javier Bardem. Okay, the Ridley Scott factor does more harm than good to the film's chances at this point, but I'm trying to figure out why the fact that this is McCarthy hasn't generated more intrigue and excitement.

I, for one, am VERY intrigued, as McCarthy is a personal favourite. But the lack of any reviews posted thus far has given me serious doubts about the film. Looking forward to hearing your response!